30 Maret 2015

THE Union Pacific Railroad (UP) must pay
US$350,000 in punitive damages and legal fees to a locomotive engineer
who allegedly was disciplined for reporting workplace injuries and seeking
medical attention, according to federal regulators.

But UP spokesman Aaron Hunt: "Union
Pacific strongly disagrees with OSHA's [Occupational Safety and Health
Administration] findings in this case. We will appeal."

This came after the OSHA ruling that said it was the
third time since 2011 that the railroad had violated whistleblower provisions
of the Federal Railroad Safety Act at its yard in North Platte,
Nebraska, according a press release from the federal regulator.

The regulator said the Omaha-based railway had retaliated
against the 35-year employee after he reported injuries sustained in a December
2013 collision and received medical attention.

The company has been ordered to remove disciplinary
information from the employee's personnel record and provide information about
whistleblower rights to all its employees, reported American Shipper.

Said OSHA spokeswoman Marcia Drumm:
"It is disheartening that this employee faced disciplinary action because
he sought needed medical attention for a work-related injury. Union Pacific's
actions are indicative of a culture that doesn't show concern for safety.

"Whistleblower protections play an important role in
keeping workplaces safe. It is not only illegal to discipline an employee for
reporting an injury and seeking medical attention, it puts everyone at
risk," Ms Drumm said.